US President Donald Trump has shaken Switzerland with a threat of 31% tariffs on imports. In the hope of averting this, the Swiss government has launched a charm offensive. But is this the right strategy? Guests on Swissinfo’s Let's Talk webcast debated the issue. Trump also has his sights set on Switzerland. He has threatened to slap 31% tariffs on Swiss exports to the United States. In response, the Swiss government’s executive body, the Federal Council, has launched a charm offensive. This appears to have paid off, as a declaration of intent on trade between the two countries looks set to be concluded. Although the left wing had initially accused the Federal Council of kowtowing to Trump, Social Democrat parliamentarian Laurence Fehlmann Rielle, participating in Let’s Talk, acknowledged the wisdom of seeking to negotiate lower tariffs. The politician, who is a member of the parliament’s foreign policy committee, nonetheless cautioned: “President Trump always plays a power game.
